AG find deadly force justified in police shooting in Lee

LEE — The New Hampshire Attorney General's office has ruled that police using deadly force during a criminal investigation in Lee on Dec. 3 last year were justified.

Attorney General Michael A. Delaney ruled in the case of Steven Amazeen, who sustained gunshot wounds to his legs and shoulder when he was fired upon by two Durham police officers.

The report states that police believed they and others were in danger of death or serious bodily harm because of Amazeen's behavior that day. Police had been called to the Amazeen home because of threats of violence.

The report states: "The investigation has revealed that the police officers’ use of deadly force was precipitated by Mr. Amazeen’s course of conduct on Monday, December 3, 2012. Mr. Amazeen’s actions created a situation that led the police officers who fired their weapons to reasonably believe that they and/or others were in danger of death or serious bodily injury. That course of conduct included Steven Amazeen’s discharge of his weapon inside and outside of his home, just prior to having contact with police officers on Lee Hook Road. In addition, when the officers encountered Mr. Amazeen on Lee Hook Road he was armed with a deadly weapon, he made threats to use his gun on himself and the police, and he failed to comply with police commands to drop his gun and surrender as he moved aggressively towards police officers. Finally, Mr. Amazeen raised his arm and pointed his gun directly at one of the Durham officers."

Amazeen is facing criminal charges in connection with the case in Strafford County Court.

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